FILIPINO boxing icon Manny Pacquiao yesterday informed the media that his estranged American promoter Murad Muhammad remains fired and therefore not authorized to promote his next bout.
Pacquiao’s public disclosure came after it was found out that Muhammad has been “claiming to other people” that he is still the boxer’s promoter.
“I am writing to ask you to stop claiming to other people that M&M Sports is still my promoter,” Pacquiao’s statement read. “I have fired you and M&M Sports from that position because of, among other things, your participation in a fraud against me.”
“As I sit here today with so much of my money being missing and having to pay a huge tax bill because you violated the law in not withholding my taxes. I still cannot believe how dishonest you were and how you violated my trust in you.”
Pacquiao has sued Muhammad following his mammoth clash with Mexican Erik Morales, alleging that Murad pocketed the pay-per-view income derived from the bout, while at the same time blaming him for his tax woes with the US Internal Revenue Service.
“I want you to hear this loud and clear,” Pacquiao said. “I am moving on with my career. My new management team has reached an oral agreement for my next two bouts, and I expect to sign a written agreement within the next two weeks. As of that time, not only will you remain fired, but there will be a different promoter formally representing me.”
The Filipino southpaw is expected to fight this September against International Boxing Federation junior lightweight champion Robbie Peden, before an anticipated clash with Morales.
